So how often do you use those holes that are Horizontal and run around the perimeter of the table?
Can you give me a example of when they really come in handy?
I am trying to think of something that I have built and would have needed them, but cant.
I do on the other hand, use the edge of the table to clamp from often and not sure I want to lose this feature.
Id love to hear this answer too.
The first row of holes on the sides gets used all the time. They are great to put clamps in and squeeze objects sideways. We have some new table accessories that utilize the sides of the table. It’s a grinding vise that mounts flush with the top surface. The ability to add and expand the table top with fixtures gets used a lot too. I often build out over the edge of the table to gain weld access to both side of a weld joint. The fixtures hanging off the side gives me the access that the table normally blocks. When you don’t have this option you just don’t think about it. When it’s available you’ll find lots of uses. I also just used the sides to combine a dragon wagon to the large magnum table because the part I was working on was 11ft long.
I like to build tools that attach to the side holes. I use them for clamping and have a project coming up where I’ll definitely need them for fixturing but mostly it’s tooling and clamps.
If you have time and think of it plastic some pics. I would love to see how you will be using them.
I can see a major use for them would be to add extensions onto your existing table for clamping longer work.thats where I can see them being very useful.
I could see this too. Depending on your table size and what you build.
Thing for me is loosing the ability to clamp on the edge.
The table has holes in the top for clamps. It’s not really necessary to use c clamps along the edge for clamping. You have freedom to clamp wherever you want with a fixture table.
I use them on dragon wagons
parts used to make extension
you will also need longer 1/4-20 bolts the “stock” ones are too short
you can also 90 up or down at the end of the extension as well, attaching another extension block.
if heavily loaded you will get a bit of deflection, but I have not had an issue with that yet.
also can use this method to space out 2 tables and align the grid pattern.
I guess I will need to decide which I would do more. I would have to buy a bunch more clamps, if I am going to use clamps that require holes.
I really like being able to clamp on the edge like you have done here on the extensions.
Will have to give this some thought
I was planning on putting together a plasma cutting water table / pan that can attach into the side holes (either between 2 dragon wagons or off the edge of one - maybe with a pair of legs on the other side).
The side holes can be used for wood slab glue up clamping. And table will insure dead flatness.
You’ll want a fair number of clamps that use the holes anyway. The side holes have been pretty useful for me. Attaching two tables together, using an extension block, clamping Fireball squares to the side of the table for fixturing, etc.
Plus, the height of the skirt is part of what makes the table rigid and resist deflection, so if you want that strength you might as well have holes in the side skirt to make it useful.
I was cyphering on same thing , but now that I see the table extension idea that makes it worth it alone!
I had a homemade table with no apron. Like Jason said, it works but you don’t know what you’re missing. I use the side all the time! I’ll store most of my fixtures on the side so they’re ready to use and the slotted stops I can just slide up to use as stops, very handy to utilize the full size of the table! I can’t stress enough how much you want it, especially if its perfectly square.
Well this is something I can always add later, thanks for all the feed back.
Do plane to seem weld it on? I was thinking of trying to have it bent once I had all the holes drilled, I have another sheet of 8x8x 1/2 out back , no idea what a fab shop would charge for that though
I would make the side piece and bolt it on. My top is .750 thick.
